Definition of Cleave

3.v. i. To part; to open; to crack; to separate; as parts of bodies; as, the ground cleaves by frost.

Definition of Cleave

1. Verb. (transitive) To split or sever something or as if with a sharp instrument. ¹

2. Verb. (transitive mineralogy) To break a single crystal (such as a gemstone or semiconductor wafer) along one of its more symmetrical crystallographic planes (often by impact), forming facets on the resulting pieces. ¹

Literary usage of Cleave

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1.Notes and Queries by Martim de Albuquerque (1862)"So we say cleave, clave, and cleaved. Here the older verbs seem to be mostly ...
But, though cleave in its two different meanings is both spelled and ..."

2.The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan (1860)"pose to try their love, whether they will cleave to him to the end. And as for
the ill end thou sayest they come to, that is most glorious in their account; ..."

4.Sonnets of this Century by William Sharp (1886)"cleave THOU THE WAVES. cleave thou the waves that weltering to and fro Surge
multitudinous. The eternal Powers Of sun, moon, stars, the air, the hurrying ..."